Council leaders admit Aberdeen lockdown measures will be ‘challenging’ for many after taste of ‘normality’

Council leaders have admitted it will be “challenging” for Aberdonians to bear new stricter lockdown rules in the city, just as they were “returning to a degree of normality”.

Earlier this afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon ordered the closure of all pubs, restaurants and cafes in Aberdeen by 5pm.

It follows a steep rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the city, with now 54 people now testing positive and linked to an outbreak at The Hawthorn Bar.

As part of the local lockdown review, First Minister also introduced a ban on travelling more than five miles, except for work or educational purposes, and said people should not visit each others’ homes.

Extended household arrangements, involving a person living alone being allowed access to another household, remain in place.

Potential visitors are being discouraged from travelling to Aberdeen as well.

The measures will be reviewed weekly.

Police have confirmed extra patrols on the city’s streets to support the new government regulations and advice – with officers potentially being drawn from elsewhere in Scotland to oversee it.

The council leaders were part of a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee this morning, agreeing the more stringent measures were necessary to steam the spread.

The Conservative co-leader of the ruling coalition, Douglas Lumsden, said: “It is essential that we continue to adhere to the Scottish Government’s guidance in order that we can control the coronavirus as best we can.

“It will be challenging for many as we were beginning to enjoy the easing of the lockdown however public safety continues to be paramount.

“We appreciate the enormous efforts made by everyone to adhere to the lockdown measures previously in place and would remind them that together we can get through this.”

His Aberdeen Labour co-leader Jenny Laing said the timing of the outbreak was “unfortunate” “just as we were returning to a degree normality”, but added the safety of citizens “remains our first priority”.

“We must continue to adhere to the Scottish Government’s guidance to ensure the safety of everyone,” she added.

“Aberdeen City Council will continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Government, NHS Grampian and Police Scotland to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to reduce the potential spread of Covid-19 in the city and surrounding areas.”